Band 4 Assistant Psychologist - Secure Care and Offender Health inCofton Hackett inCofton Hackett PUBLISHED
FRI 17 JAN 2025
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust rFZ0GqxA2o8nePKX
Opportunities to work with individuals with complex needs within the criminal justice system, contributing to meaningful change in their lives.
Access to regular, highly specialist supervision and continued professional development (CPD) within a large team of over 70 psychology staff.
Involvement in assessments, formulations, and interventions in both inpatient and community settings, enhancing practical skills and experience.
Commitment to staff wellbeing, ensuring a positive and fulfilling work environment.
Opportunity to engage in multi-disciplinary teamwork, learning from professionals across various fields.
Involvement in research, audit, and service development projects, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Inclusive and enriching role, with support for career progression and development in a reputable organization.
The Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust is seeking committed individuals for the role of Band 4 Assistant Psychologist within its Secure Care and Offender Health directorate, with positions available in various teams, including the Reaside Clinic and the Tamarind Centre. The successful candidates will support qualified psychologists in delivering high-quality, person-centered care to individuals within the criminal justice system who exhibit complex needs, particularly men with a history of offending and mental health difficulties. Responsibilities include contributing to assessments, interventions, case consultations, and engaging in multi-disciplinary teams across multiple settings, along with opportunities for professional development and well-being support.
The role requires individuals with experience in clinical settings related to Forensic or Mental Health, and applicants should be compassionate, hard-working, and eager to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those they serve. The Trust is known for its diverse services and has received notable accreditations, providing a nurturing environment for staff growth and collaboration. Interested candidates are encouraged to reach out for informal inquiries regarding the role.
The role requires individuals with experience in clinical settings related to Forensic or Mental Health, and applicants should be compassionate, hard-working, and eager to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those they serve. The Trust is known for its diverse services and has received notable accreditations, providing a nurturing environment for staff growth and collaboration. Interested candidates are encouraged to reach out for informal inquiries regarding the role.
Within the Secure Care and Offender Health directorate, vacancies for Assistant Psychologists have arisen within the following teams
Reaside Clinic – A medium secure unit for men (1.0 WTE).
The role would suit committed, hard-working and compassionate individuals with an interest in working with people who present with complex needs within the criminal justice system. The directorate has a diverse portfolio of services and has an excellent national reputation, with accreditations from QNIC, NHS England, QNFMHS and the National Autistic Society.
As an assistant psychologist in our services, there is access to regular, highly specialist supervision and CPD as part of a wider psychology team of over 70 staff. We offer continued support and progression within this network, and we work hard to ensure our roles are inclusive and enriching for the post-holders. We are also committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff team to provide a positive and fulfilling experience of work.
Assistant psychologists support qualified psychologists in delivering a high-quality service. This involves working in multi-disciplinary teams and engaging directly with men and women with complex and long-term problems who present with high risk or offending behaviours.
Within the Reaside Clinic and Tamarind Centre roles there are opportunities to contribute to assessments, formulations, and interventions with adult men who have a history of offending behaviours and mental health difficulties within an inpatient setting.
The MHRT role is at the Ardenleigh Hospital site. There are opportunities to contribute to assessments, formulations, and interventions with adults with mental health needs who have been found guilty of an offence, as an alternative to a custodial sentence.
Within the OPD Pathway services, the team work closely with probation practitioners to support the use of psychologically informed practices with high-risk cases in custody and the community. Travel across the West Midlands area will be part of the role. In this post there are opportunities to contribute to case consultations, build formulation skills, develop and deliver training, and support reflective practice and wellbeing spaces, as well as involvement in research, audit and service development projects.
Candidates with previous experience of working within a range of clinical settings including Forensic, Mental Health, Social Care and Learning Disabilities are welcomed.
Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.
Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to peoples lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.
For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Dr Edd Howard Job title: Senior Clinical & Forensic Psychologist Email address: Telephone number:
Reaside Clinic – A medium secure unit for men (1.0 WTE).
- Tamarind Centre – A medium secure unit for men (1.0 WTE fixed term to cover maternity leave).
- Mental Health Treatment Requirement (MHTR); part of the Criminal Justice Recovery Service (0.6 fixed term contract for 12 months).
- Community Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway Services (1.6 WTE).
The role would suit committed, hard-working and compassionate individuals with an interest in working with people who present with complex needs within the criminal justice system. The directorate has a diverse portfolio of services and has an excellent national reputation, with accreditations from QNIC, NHS England, QNFMHS and the National Autistic Society.
As an assistant psychologist in our services, there is access to regular, highly specialist supervision and CPD as part of a wider psychology team of over 70 staff. We offer continued support and progression within this network, and we work hard to ensure our roles are inclusive and enriching for the post-holders. We are also committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff team to provide a positive and fulfilling experience of work.
Assistant psychologists support qualified psychologists in delivering a high-quality service. This involves working in multi-disciplinary teams and engaging directly with men and women with complex and long-term problems who present with high risk or offending behaviours.
Within the Reaside Clinic and Tamarind Centre roles there are opportunities to contribute to assessments, formulations, and interventions with adult men who have a history of offending behaviours and mental health difficulties within an inpatient setting.
The MHRT role is at the Ardenleigh Hospital site. There are opportunities to contribute to assessments, formulations, and interventions with adults with mental health needs who have been found guilty of an offence, as an alternative to a custodial sentence.
Within the OPD Pathway services, the team work closely with probation practitioners to support the use of psychologically informed practices with high-risk cases in custody and the community. Travel across the West Midlands area will be part of the role. In this post there are opportunities to contribute to case consultations, build formulation skills, develop and deliver training, and support reflective practice and wellbeing spaces, as well as involvement in research, audit and service development projects.
Candidates with previous experience of working within a range of clinical settings including Forensic, Mental Health, Social Care and Learning Disabilities are welcomed.
Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.
Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to peoples lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.
For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Dr Edd Howard Job title: Senior Clinical & Forensic Psychologist Email address: Telephone number:
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Mental health has emerged as a critical issue in the United Kingdom, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis highlighted the fragility of mental well-being across different demographics, from children and adolescents to adults and the elderly. It has sparked a wider conversation about the importance of mental health care, accessibility, and the stigmas often associated with mental illnesses. Learn more...
Useful skills for a Band 4 Assistant Psychologist - Secure Care and Offender Health:
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To work as a Band 4 Assistant Psychologist in the UK, you'll typically need a combination of educational qualifications, relevant experience, and specific skills. Here’s a list of key skills and attributes that are generally required or advantageous for this role:
Educational Qualifications:
1. Degree in Psychology: A minimum of an Undergraduate degree in Psychology is often necessary. Ideally, it should be accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) to ensure eligibility for further training.
Relevant Experience:
2. Experience in a Clinical Setting: Experience working in a healthcare or clinical environment is highly valuable. This could include placements, volunteering, or paid positions that involve direct contact with clients or patients.
3. Research Experience: Conducting or assisting with research projects, particularly in psychology or a related field, can be advantageous and is often beneficial for your CV.
Core Skills:
4. Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication skills are vital for interacting effectively with clients, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
5. Empathy and Compassion: The ability to empathize with clients and understand their experiences is important in a support role.
6. Observation Skills: Being attentive to details during assessments and when observing client interactions is crucial for accurate reporting.
7. Analytical Skills: The ability to analyze data and research findings to inform practice, as well as to assist in psychological assessments.
8. Organizational Skills: Managing time effectively and being organized is important, especially if the role involves handling multiple tasks or cases simultaneously.
9. IT Skills: Proficiency with standard office software (such as MS Office) and familiarity with psychological assessment tools or databases may be needed.
Additional Skills:
10. Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, as assistant psychologists often support qualified psychologists in delivery of services.
11. Adaptability: Flexibility to work in varying situations and with clients from diverse backgrounds with different needs.
12. Professionalism: Understanding of and adherence to ethical guidelines and professional standards in psychology.
Other Considerations:
- Commitment to Professional Development: A willingness to engage in continuous professional development and training.
- Understanding of Psychological Theories and Practices: Familiarity with various psychological concepts, theories, and approaches.
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